Travelling with kids/ Malaria

[familiabanda]

We will be in Nicaragua in February with three small kids (9, 7 and 3) hitting places like Granada, Mombacho, Laguna de Apoyo, Ometepe, Esteli, Selva Negra, Matagalpa and Big Corn Island. The CDC says that malaria prevention medication is recommended in "rural areas." Isn't that pretty much everywhere but Granada? What have others opted to do? Since it is the dry season and we will be pretty much on the beaten path (no long hikes), is it really necessary? Any and all comments much appreciated. Thanks!

[Randall Wood]

The CDC recommends malaria meds for everywhere except Managua, basically.  Your youngest is a bit young to be taking malaria prophylaxis but in the end it comes down to your personal appetite for risk.  You're right, it's the dry season, so there will be fewer bugs.  On the other hand it takes only one.

You could probably do it if you are serious about the bug spray, mosquito nets, and long pants/sleeves during the dusk hours, which is when the malaria mosquitos come out.  But if it's only for a week or two you might decide a short dose of meds might be worth it.